Apparatus for obtaining exposed liquid surfaces



May 25, 1937. H. E. BYER 2,081,615

I APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING EXPOSED LIQUID SURFACES Filed April 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 22 FI v I Win-W WWW" 15 17 INVENTORJ HENRY E. EVER ATTORNEY y 25, 1937. H. E. BYER 2,081,615 APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING EXPOSED LIQUID SURFACES Filed April 17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 me, I FIGS.

INVENTO/i' RY E. BYER Patented May 25, 1937 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING EXPOSED LIQUID SURFACES Henry E. Byer, Bosebank, N. Y.

Application April 17,

13 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for distributing water or other liquid in the condensing of steam or other vapors, the cooling of air or other gases, the scrubbing of gases, the flashdehydration of liquids and in all other com-' mercial processes in which it is desirable to obtain exposed liquid surfaces in a casing and to apparatus in and by which the method may be carried out. More particularly, the invention relates to condensers for steam or other vapor laden gases, although not so limited.

The nature of the problem to be solved is to secure the most eflicient condensing, cooling or scrubbing action by blanketing or enveloping the gaseous medium being acted upon. The more thoroughly this blanketing, the more efiective the condensing, cooling or scrubbing action and the more efficient this contact action between liquid and gaseous medium.

/ Existing art accomplishes this by the use of sprays, internal baffles and trays but due to the internal supporting means required to maintain their correct position in the casing, the water or liquid employed has its flow broken by such internal supporting means resulting in openings or gaps in the water or liquid formation. Such open spaces or gaps permit this gaseous medium to pass through without being acted upon resulting in a loss of efliciency as regards the condensing, cooling or scrubbing action.

By my invention, I completely prevent the formation of openings or gaps in the liquid sheet being distributed, doing this by simple means inexpensive to construct and due to the higher efliciency and better contact resulting, which permits the use of a smaller diameter casing.

One object of the present invention is to obtain a control over the direction of flow of a liquid curtain.

Another object of the invention is to avoid excessive pressure drop in a casing between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet by a continuous curtain of liquid.

It is also an object of the present invention to utilize the liquid curtain to assist in the aspirating action of a condenser or other apparatus through which a gaseous medium passes.

The invention also seeks to create a liquid curtain from a source of liquid at one point within the casing.

Yet another object of the invention is liquid delivery means by which a curtain of liquid may be directed in an upward direction or in a downward direction, as desired.

further object of the invention is liquid de- 1935, Serial No. 16,771

livery means by which the angular relation of the liquid curtain with respect to the direction of flow of gases may be varied or controlled.

The invention further seeks large exposed liquid surfaces in 'a device of the character described.

The invention also has for its object apparatus for distributing liquid to obtain exposed liquid surfaces which is' practical from the standpoint of ease and convenience of manufacture and practicability and efliciency in operation.

In carrying the invention into efl'ect, large exposed liquid surfaces are attained by impinging a liquid jet under controlled related velocity against the surface of a weir or baflle-bar or plate. This baflie-bar or plate is preferably flat and is conveniently disposed in a plane perpendicular to the general direction of flow of the impinging liquid. The baffle-bar or plate preferably spans the diameter of a casing and is formed with edges as a trough, the edges being desirably flared to a suitable degree and conveniently extending be tween spaced points on the casing circumference or wall. The desired results may be obtained when the baflle-bar or plate is horizontal. For instance, a liquid jet impinged perpendicularly against such a baflie bar or plate, and at its center point on the diameter of a casing, spreads along the surface of a baflle-bar to the casing wall and outwardly over the deflecting edges thereof and along their fifll length, delivering a liquid sheet or curtain over the full length of the edges against the casing wall, thereby complete- 1y spanning the spaces between the flared edges of the impinging baiTle-bar and the casing wall with a liquid curtain.

In the broadest aspect of the invention, the baflle bar may be arranged at any angle to receive a liquid jet directed from any point.

The liquid jet may be impinged at any angle to the horizontal, either downwardly or upwardly against the baifle bar, when in a horizontal plane. When impinged downwardly, the liquid curtain may be directed at any selected upward angle against the casing wall. When impinged upwardly, the liquidcurtain may be directed at any selected downward angle against the casing wall.

This liquid curtain, upon impingement against the casing wall, flows downward on the same, completely wetting it in its downward passage along said casing wall to the liquid outlet provided at a point below the impingement bar or plate and may completely envelop the gas within the liquid.

These and other objects of the invention and the means for their attainment will be more apparent from-the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrating different embodiments by which the invention may be realized, and in which:

Figure 1 is a view, in vertical section, taken on a diameter of a casing, illustrating one embodiment of the invention and showing an upwardly directed liquid curtain;

Figure 2 is a view of the structure similarto that of Figure l, but taken at right angles thereto;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view, taken in the plane indicated by the line 33 of Figure 2, and looln'ng in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a view in verticalsection, taken on a diameter of a-casing and illustrating another embodiment of the invention in which a downwardly directed liquid curtain is provided;

Figure 5 is a view similar to that of Figure 4 but showing the structure to Figure 4; and r Figure 6 is a transverse sectional view, taken in the plane indicated by the line 6-45 of Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

In the construction of my invention, as illustrated, but to the details of which I do not desire taken at right angles to be limited, a metallic casing, such as the condenser body 8 illustrated, has any suitable shape but is preferably cylindrical. A liquid outlet l0 is conveniently disposed axially of the casing, as will be understood.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, an outlet for air or other gaseous medium is formed in the top of the casing, as indicated at I2, and a vapor, gas or air inlet at l4 in the side of the casing near the lower end thereof.

The casing is provided with one or more bailieplates or bars l8, preferably disposed on a diameter of the casing 8, one above the other, in spaced relation. Liquid I1 is directed so that a stream thereof impinges against the baflles l8. In the drawings, the liquid delivered impinges against horizontal baflle bars l8. At least one edge of the impingement bafile plate I8 is formed or provided with a lip 20 which is conveniently flared upwardly or disposed in an outward and upward plane and these baflle bars or plates extend, conveniently, from side to side of the casing so that the edges 28 extend between spaced points on the casing .circumference or wall. In Figures 1 to 3, the casing is provided with one or more liquid inlet pipes l6 entering the casing in any convenient manner and at suitable points in spaced relation which liquid inlet pipes direct the liquid so that it will impinge against baflles l8, there being desirably one impingement baille or plate to receive the liquid from each inlet pipe Hi. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the pipe I6 is directed downwardly as at [9, in a vertical plane. The liquid jet may be impinged at any angle to the horizontal downwardly against the baflle plate l8 and the liquid therefrom flows along the bailie bar for the full length thereof to deliver a liquid sheet or curtain over the full length of the edges from casing wall to casing wall, thereby completely spanning the spaces between the edges, as shown at 22. The angle of the curtain 22- with respect to the horizontal is determined by the angular relation of the lip or edge 20 with respect to the plane of the baffle bar.

The liquid from the curtain 22, upon striking the wall of the casing 8, flows downwardly, as indicated at 24, to a liquid deflecting ring 26 which may be disposed, where necessary, to divert the trated in Figures 4 through 6, but to details of which I do not desire to be limited, the metallic casing 32 is provided at its upper end with asteam, vapor or gas inlet pipe 34, a liquid outlet 36 in the bottom thereof and an outlet 38 for gaseous medium near the bottom. The casing is provided with one or more liquid inlet pipes 40 illustrated as deflected upwardly at their ends 42 in a vertical plane to direct or impinge liquid against impingement baiiies 44. The liquid jet 43 impinges preferably perpendicularly against the baflle bar or plate 44 and at its center point on the diameter of the casing and on the underside thereof and spreads along the under surface of the battle bar to the casing wall and outwardly over the edges thereof to and against the casing wall thereby completely spanning the spaces between the edges of the impingement baflle bar and the casing wall with a liquid curtain 46. To control the angular relation of the liquid curtain 46 to the horizontal.

the edges of the baiiie bar 44 are preferably provided with or formed with at least one lip or flare 45 disposed at the desired angular relation with respect to the plane of the baflie bar 44 to direct the curtain 42 at the desired angle.

The liquid curtain 48, upon impingement against the casing wall, flows downwardly on the same completely wetting it in its downward passage along said casing wall to the annular deflecting ring 48 which diverts the liquid flow past the vapor gas or air outlet 38 into a downwardly and inwardlydirected or frusto-conical sheet 50 to the outlet 36. There is no necessity in this instance to split the liquid sheetin discharging past the outlet pipe 38 over the defleeting ring 48, the liquid sheet in this case being in the nature of a liquid partition separating the outlet pipe 38 from the interior part of the casing. 1

It will thus be seen, that, since the direction of flow of the liquid curtain extending across the area of the casing is the same as that of the direction of the steam, vapor or gas flow from the inlet toward the outlet, the weight of the liquid flow assists the weight of the steam,

vapor or gas flow passing through the curtain thereby acting to decrease the pressure drop between the point of steam, vapor, gas or air entry and its outlet. Also the liquid running'to waste on the casing wall exposes a large wet surface for further contact with the vapor, steam or gas, thereby aiding the contact process involved.

In those situations where the flow of the vapor, steam or gas from the inlet to the outlet therefor is upward, a further important advantage results as the liquid running down on the casing wall has its downward velocity so decreased that the liquid flow has very little retarding effect on the upward gas or air flow; This remedies the common defect in prior structures where the vapor, steam or gas flow'is upward through the casings, as in such prior art the eifective liquid surface contact is downward and the weight of the falling liquid thereby opposing the weight of the ascending vapor, air or gas flow. This results in excessive pressure drop or in blowing the liquid aside so that the steam, vapor-or air passes through the casing without the proper contact with the liquid.

A further common defect in prior art structures is remedied by this invention in that the multiplicity of interior bailles, weirs and nozzles to obtain the required efiective liquid contact surface, is eliminated. From a commercial viewpoint, it is important to attain the ends desired by the simplest and least expensive means possible, and it is to this end that my invention serves a recognized want, as casings of smaller cross sectional area and overall length may be employed with an interior construction which is, in effect, an unobstructed pipe.

Various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art in the configuration and disposition of the component elements going to make up the invention as a whole, as well as in the selection of specific features and their combination to attain desired results dependent upon the use to which the invention is to be put, and no limitation is intended by the phraseology of the foregoing specification or illustrations'in the accompanying drawings, except as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:- i

l. A device of the character described, comprising the combination with a casing having an inlet for gaseous medium, an outlet for gaseous medium, an inlet for supplying a column of liquid under pressure therebetween and' a liquid outlet, of a trough shaped baflle whereof the edges each extend between spaced points on the casing wall between gas outlet and inlet to deflect the column of liquid as curtains, flowing substantially in the same direction as the gas flow, over said edges outwardly in two-sheets the elements of which are straight, and intersect the casing wall.

2. In a device of the character described, comprising a casing, a rectangular baflle plate mounted on the casing, means to direct a jet of liquid against said bafile plate, said baiile plate being formed with a lip angularly related to said plate whereby to direct said liquid in a sheet into contact with the wall and in a plane at an angle to the plate and intersecting the wall.

3. In a device of the character described, comprising a casing, a rectangular baille plate mounted onthe casing, means to direct a jet of liquid against said baflie plate, said baflle plate being formed with a lip angularly related to said plate whereby to direct said liquid in a sheet against the casing wall and in a plane at an angle to the plate, the angular relation of the lip to the plate determining the angular relation of the sheet to the plate.

4. In a device of the character described, comprising a casing, a rectangular baflie plate mounted on the casing, means to direct a jet of liquid against the upper surface of said baflie plate and means carried with the baille plate to direct said liquid outwardly and upwardly in a sheet against the casing wall and in a plane at an angle to the plate.

5. In a device of the character described, comprising a casing, a rectangular baflle plate mounted on the casing, means to direct. a jet of liquid against the lower surface of said battle plate and means carried with the baiile plate to direct said liquid outwardly and downwardly in a sheet into contact with the wall and in a plane at an angle to the plate and intersecting the wall.

6. A device of the character described comprising a casing, an inlet for a gaseous medium, an outlet for gaseous medium, an impingement bar mounted at its ends in said casing to receive and distribute a liquid therefrom to the walls of said casing in a substantially continuous sheet the path of which from the impingement bar to the casing follows substantially a straight line and means for flowing a stream of liquid against said bar at a velocity sufiicient to produce said continuous sheet in the path of the gaseous medium.

7. A device of the character described comprising a casing forming apath for a gaseous medium, an impingement bar in said casing including a rectangular member mounted at each end on the casing with angular flanges on the free edges, and means to direct a stream of liquid against the impingement bar at a velocity sufiicient to produce a substantially continuous sheet of liquid from said bar in a substantially straight line to the casing in the path of the fiow of the gaseous medium.

8. A device of the character described comprising a casing forming a path for a gaseous medium, an impingement bar extending substantially .across and mounted in said casing comprising means to receive a stream of liquid and distribute it therefrom in a straight line to the said casin but at an angle thereto in the form of a continuous sheet across the path of the gaseous medium through said casing and means to deliver a stream of fluid to said impingement bar.

9. A device of the character described comprising a casing forming a path for a gaseous medium, means for delivering a stream of liquid under pressure into said casing, an impingement baffle extending substantially across and mounted in said casing against which the stream of liquid is discharged, said bafile comprising means to distribute said liquid as a continuous sheet from said baffle in a substantially straight line to the casing in the path of the flow of the gaseous medium.

10. A device of the character described comprising a casing for defining the path of a gaseous medium, means for supplying a stream of liquid to said casing, means comprising an impingement bar extending substantially across said casing to receive and direct said stream of liquid as a continuous sheet therefrom in a substantially straight line upwardly and outwardly to the walls of said casing but at an angle thereto and diagonally across the path of the gaseous medium from which walls the liquid flows downwardly as a continuous film.

11. A device of the character described comprising a casing for defining the path of a gaseous medium, means for supplying a stream of liquid to said casing, means comprising an impingement bar ext-endingsubstantially across said casing to receive and direct said stream of liquid as a continuous sheet therefrom in a substantially straight line downwardly and outwardly to the walls of said casing but atan angle thereto and diagonally across the path of the gaseous medium from which walls the liquid flows downwardly as a continuous film. I

12. In a device of the character described, comprising a casing, a rectangular baille plate mounted on said casing, means to direct a jet of liquid against said baflle plate and means carried with the baiiie plate to direct said liquid as a continuous sheet in a substantially straight line from the baflie to the casing.

13. A device of the character described comprising a casing forming a path for a gaseous medium, means for delivering a stream of liquid under pressure into said casing, an impingement bar extending substantially across and mounted in said casing against which the stream of liquid is discharged, said bar comprising means to distribute said liquid as a continuous sheet from said bar in a substantially straight line to the walls of the casing in the path of the flow of the gaseous medium, from which walls the liquid flows downwardly as a continuous film, and means to direct said downwardly flowing flhn away from the sides 5 of the casing.

HENRY E. BYER. 

